§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
§ MR. HUMEopposed the second reading of so important a Bill at so late an hour. It was a most extraordinary measure, as it went to confiscate the free sittings in churches, and he hoped the second reading would not now be pressed.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, the Bill had emanated from a Parliamentary Commission. One of the clauses did subject a portion of the free sittings to payment; and, after communication with the Earl of Carlisle, who conducted it through the other House, he hoped to make some alteration in it before going to Committee. If the hon. Gentleman would now consent to the second reading, he would state the nature of those alterations before the next stage of the Bill.
§ MR. FREWENhoped that the right hon. Baronet would not press the second reading of the Bill at this late hour—half-past twelve.
VISCOUNT DUNCANsaid, there were a number of objections to the Bill. Many of his constituents had subscribed to the building of churches on the understanding that the seats were to be rent free, whereas this Bill would have the opposite effect.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, he had understood his noble Friend to express his entire satisfaction with the measure.
§ MR. SIDNEY HERBERTsaid, this was a measure of practical reform, which was greatly needed, and great anxiety was felt in the manufacturing districts concern- 1122 ing it. He thought the sooner they went into Committee the better.
§ MR. AGLIONBYhoped the right hon. Baronet would not press the House to a division. The principle of the Bill was to take away the free seats that had been subscribed for.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYhoped the House would have consented to the second reading. His noble Friend (Viscount Duncan) had certainly given him the impression that he approved of the measure.
§ SIR GEORGE GREYthen moved the adjournment of the debate till To-morrow at Twelve o'clock.
§ Debate adjourned till To-morrow.